Traffic semaphore



2 Sheets-Sheen'l ll May 31, 1938. L. B. GLA'FCKE TRAFFIC SEMAPHORE Filed Feb. 21, 19:55

May 31, 1933# l.. B. GLAFCK 2,119,049

TRAFFIC SEMAPHORE Filed Feb. 21, 1955 2 Sheets-SheeI 2 adm/. Gla/cke,

' green light 8 for the Go signs.

Patented May 31, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to traflic control semaphores of the character of those used to control traiiic on city streets yand other public highways.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved article of this nature by which traiiic may be effectively lcontrolled with a minimum of opportunity for mistakes upon the part of drivers. To this end, a semaphore hasbeen provided which, in addition to ashing the customary red, green, and amber lights, is provided with a traveling indicator such as an arrow, for example, movable in synchronism with the flashing of the lights, in such fashion as to indicate to drivers the length of time before the next succeeding light change, so that the drivers may be prepared for such changes, and will govern themselves accordingly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a semaphore of the character indicated having traic control indicators visible to pedestrians upon the sidewalk, and to cause pedestrian traffic to move in properly timed relation to vehicular tramo.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front View of a traffic semaphore constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional View therethrough.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section thereof.

Fig. 4 is a side view of a single unit having pedestrian indicators incorporated therewith.

Fig 5 is a front view of the operating mechanism, hereinafter described, and

Fig 6 is a side view of the operating mechanism.

Like numerals indicate corresponding parts in all of the gures of the drawings. In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a four-sided casing having an indicator upon each of its faces. However, it is to be understood that a single or double unit semaphore may be employed by omitting certain of the parts. Where the semaphore is to be used, one upon each corner of the street, a single unit semaphore will be employed (see Fig. 4), while for center intersection use, the quadruple unit illustrated in Fig. 1 may be suspended in a known way at the center of the intersection.

Referring now to Fig. l, 5 designates a casing having Stop and Go signs 5 and 6, upon each of its four sides adapted to be illuminated inaknown way by the red light 'I for Stop signs and the Openings formed in the four sides of the casing are covered by clear convex glass lenses 9. Rotative opaque disks IIJ are mounted inwardly of the lenses 9, and have cut out or transparent sections II formed in them. These sections may advantageously be of arrow shape. A ring of flashed opal glass, indicated at I2,'lies outwardly of the opaque disk II and is adapted to be illuminated at the time and in the way hereinafter described.

A shaded pole synchronous motor of a conventional type, indicated at I3, drives through the worm I4 to a worm wheel I5, this motor and the associated parts upon the base I being mounted in the casing 5. Worm Wheel I5 is mounted on a shaft I8', and this shaft carries a pinion I1 which drives the asher gear I8.

This flasher gear in turn operates the asher segment I9, which, through the brushes 20, completes the circuits to the various lights and audible signal 30 as` hereinafter set forth.

In addition, the pinion I5 drives a crown gear 2i, which, through a readily detachable slip joint connection 22, drives a vertical shaft 23. This shaft carries a crown gear 24 upon its upper end, and this gear in turn imparts motion to the four pinions 25, (Fig. 2), upon the shafts 26 of the opaque disks I0.

A series of red lights R, one for each of the disks Ill, are disposed to illuminate said disks, and these lights 21 are energized simultaneously with the energizing of the red lights 'I. In like manner, a series of green lights G are arranged to be energized simultaneously with the energizing of the green light 8. An amber light 29 serves the usual function of a caution light.

When the semaphore is set for stop under the action of the flasher, the corresponding red lights 'l illuminate the two opposed stop signs 5 from the interior, while at the same time, the red lights R illuminate the arrow II and ring I2.

Between the end of the stop period and the beginning of the go period, the amber or caution light C alone may be used to illuminate the ring I2, or this amber illumination of ring I2 may be caused to take place at the end of the go period and just prior to the beginning of the stop, thus warning moving traflic that the change is about to take place, so that late trai-lic will not enter the intersection. Automobile drivers will be taught by experience in the practical use of the signal that a change will take place when the arrow I I is in a vertical position and pointing upwardly. If, then, the arrow travels clockwise and the color changes from green to amber when the arrow has traveled three-fourths of the way around the circle, the driver will know that he must wait until it travels the remaining onefourth of the distance before the red will appear. An audible signal such as an electrically operated bell or whistle, indicated at 30, may be utilized as an additional cautioning element.

An important feature of the invention is the rotating arrow which indicates to the drivers the approximate time yet available before the change of the signal is to take place. Thus warned, there is little excuse for a driver entering the intersection late enough to be caught by the red light.

It will further be observed that the regulator governing the lights, and the movable indicators operate in synchronism without being interconnected other than for the fact that they are operated from a common source of power. The arrangement shown and described is of simple construction and will give long life with low maintenance cost.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1i, which illustrates a single unit semaphore adapted to be used on street corners instead of in the center of intersections, additional openings 3l and 32 are formed in an end wall of the casing 5a, so that the red and green lights 1 and 8 may be visible therethrough for the purpose of indicating the condition of the semaphore to pedestrians.

The ilasher may, of course, be arranged to control the lights in any desired Way by varying the position of the segments of. the flasher cylinder in a way very common in the illuminated sign art. However, one arrangement which may be resorted to is illustrated in Fig. 5, Where the cylinder I9 of insulating material carries a grounding ring lSa which through brush 20a and conductor 4l] constitutes the ground. A segment 4l extending nearly half way around the cylinder makes contact at the proper time with brush 2Gb. This completes a circuit 4|' through one set of the red and green lights which illuminate the disks, conductor 42, back to the positive side of the circuit at 43. At the same time one set of the Stop and Go lights for the signs 5 and 6 is energized through conductor 44, back to the positive side of the circuit, at 45. When a segment 46, at the opposite end of the asher cylinder, contacts brush 28o a circuit is completed through con- 4ductor 4l, the other set of the red and green lights which illuminate the rotative disks and back to the main positive lead at 48. Segment 49 contacting with brushes 29e serves to complete a circuit through conductor 50, an audible signal 36, back to the positive lead 48 and at the same time completes a circuit through conductor 5l and the caution light 52, back to the positive side of the circuit at 45. The several segments 4I, 46 and 49 are suitably connected to the ground ring IS as indicated by the dotted line X.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction set forth, but that it includes within its purview whatever changes fairly come within either the terms or the spirit of the appended claim.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

In a time lapse indicator for traiiic signals, the combination with a casing having an opening in a wall thereof, a lens covering said opening and comprising a center clear glass section and a surrounding annular translucent glass section, an opaque disk located inwardly of and of a size to substantially cover the clear glass section, means for imparting rotation to said disk continuously in one direction, said disk being provided with a transparent indicator section through which light may shine from the interior of said casing and red, green and amber lights within said casing, as and for the purposes set forth.

LUDLOW B. GLAFCKE. 

